Another aircraft added to the fleet of the Silesian University of Technology
TECNAM P2006T is a new twin-engine aircraft which will be used to train students of the Silesian University of Technology. Thanks to this machine equipped with the latest technologies, pilots will gain valuable experience that will prepare them to fly modern aircraft in air transport. The purchase of the aircraft was possible thanks to a grant from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
The new aircraft is the sixth in the fleet of the Silesian University of Technology. TECNAM P2006T is the second twin-engine aircraft owned by the University, designed for training students in aviation-related fields.
“This is the plane that we were missing,” said Dr Eng. Jarosław Kozuba, Prof. of Silesian University of Technology, director of the Civil Aviation Personnel Training Centre of Central and Eastern Europe at the Silesian University of Technology. “Our entire fleet is new aircraft, the oldest of them is only 5 years old, they use the latest technologies, especially those related to the system of monitoring navigation conditions, engine operation or on-board systems. Thanks to this, our students have the right introduction to the technologies used in large transport aircraft - explained Prof. Kozuba.
About 600 students are educated in aviation-related fields, including over 100 in the field of pilotage, among them Karol Judka, a student of the third year of air navigation.
–“ I have only flown about 30 hours, I am flying in Kaniów, where the Silesian University of Technology has a contract signed, but thanks to the expansion of the fleet, I hope that in the future I will fly in Gliwice on multi-engine planes.” – says Karol Judka.
– “I personally can’t wait to get behind the flight controls of a new aircraft and test it.” – adds Dawid Tarachulski, a student of the third year of air navigation. – “Studying at the Silesian University of Technology is phenomenal. In terms of equipment that is at our disposal, everything works flawlessly, and flying planes is great.” – says the student.
The purchase of a new training aircraft allows to independently carry out flight training programme in 85%. Silesian University of Technology is one of five centres in Poland that educates aviation specialists. The University authorities announce further investments in the development of aviation education in the near future.
“This year we are planning to purchase another aircraft and a helicopter, education in the field of aviation is very well developed, we educate navigators, aviation mechanics, and from this academic year also air traffic controllers, a very elite field of studies” – enumerated Prof. Marek Pawełczyk, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology. – “In fact, within a dozen or so years we have grown into the largest centre educating pilots and civil aviation service in Poland.” – added the Rector, stressing that the development of education in this area is facilitated by model cooperation with the authorities of Gliwice, which support the University by investing in the Gliwice airport.
The purchase of a new aircraft, the cost of which amounted to nearly PLN 3.5 million, would not have been possible without the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
– “We are pleased that the next stage of development of the Silesian University of Technology is being realized with our participation, that we could co-finance the purchase of another aircraft, which will certainly again improve the quality of education.” – said Prof. Marek Gzik, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education. – “The ministry recognizes the needs of the dynamically developing labour market, because more and more pilots are needed, and on the other hand, the effort that the Silesian University of Technology has undertaken over the years by investing and expanding this centre, developing its staff.”
The ceremonial handover of the new aircraft was also an opportunity to take off into the air and see personally how the polytechnical fleet operates in the skies. Representatives of the University, city authorities and invited journalists had the opportunity to admire Gliwice from a bird's eye view.
